Pipe handling apparatus for supplying pipes to snubbing units

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for handling pipes (A) for supplying pipes (A) to snubbing units, comprising a footing ( 2 ), located on the surface (C) of the pipe yard (A), and a supporting structure ( 3 ), which is pivoted to the footing ( 2 ). The supporting structure ( 3 ) defines a conveyance line ( 4 ) for at least one pipe (A). Respective means ( 5 ) for grip and conveyance of at least one pipe (A) are arranged at the lateral portions of the structure ( 3 ) in order to transfer the pipe from the surface (C) of the pipe yard (A) to the conveyance line ( 4 ). The supporting structure ( 3 ) comprises:—a guiding frame ( 6 ), which is pivoted to the footing ( 2 );—a slider ( 7 ), which can slide along the guiding frame ( 6 ) and is interposed substantially between the guiding frame ( 6 ) and the footing ( 2 ), the slider ( 7 ) defining, on the face ( 7   b ) directed toward the footing ( 2 ), said conveyance line ( 4 ) for at least one pipe (A) and comprising elements ( 8 ) for gripping and retaining said pipe (A);—a first actuator ( 9 ), which is interposed between the footing ( 2 ) and the guiding frame ( 6 ) and is preset to rotate the guiding frame ( 6 ) with respect to its axis for pivoting to the footing ( 2 ), the guiding frame ( 6 ) being movable, by way of the action of the first actuator ( 9 ), from a configuration for picking up the pipes (A) from the surface (C) of the pipe yard (A), in which the slider ( 7 ) is juxtaposed and parallel to the footing ( 2 ) and is surmounted by the guiding frame ( 6 ), to a pipe (A) delivery configuration, in which the guiding frame ( 6 ) forms an angle with the footing ( 2 ) that substantially corresponds to 90°±10°;—a second actuator ( 10 ), which is interposed between the slider ( 7 ) and the guiding frame ( 6 ), being preset for the translation of the slider ( 7 ) with respect to the guiding frame ( 6 ), with consequent elongation of the supporting structure ( 3 ) up to a length that is close to the sum of the lengths of the guiding frame ( 6 ) and of the slider ( 7 ).

The present invention relates to a pipe handling apparatus for supplyingpipes to snubbing units.

In particular, the apparatus is hydraulic with remote control and isadapted to supply pipes up to a height of 30 m, a height that can bereached by the most up-to-date snubbing systems used in the oil sectorto operate with the well under pressure.

Current snubbing units use, in order to transfer the pipes from groundlevel to the work station, which is indeed located at a height of up to30 m, cranes or winches which lift the pipe up to said work level.

With particular reference to tower-shaped drilling systems, the need isfelt to supply the pipes to be handled in the well at a great height.The same requirements can be observed in so-called snubbing units thathave towers with heights that can exceed even 25 m (possibly reachingeven significantly greater heights). Due to the fact that currentlythere is no machine or system capable of handling pipes at theseheights, it is known to resort to cranes, or similar machines, presetfor the lifting of each pipe in order to bring it proximate to the topof the extraction tower, in which adapted grip means are adapted to gripit in order to install it.

This solution is particularly dangerous, since it provides for thecontinuous presence of hanging loads (the pipe is kept raised withrespect to the ground, substantially suspended above the operators).

The fundamental requirement of this equipment is compliance, not onlywith the design specifications of the system in which they will beinstalled, but also and especially with the directives contained ininternational standards.

Currently applicable statutory provisions and forthcoming futurerevisions advise against (and in some case forbid) the presence ofhanging loads in the areas where operators are located and thereforesystems of the traditional type are destined to be scrapped.

Moreover, the installation of a crane (or other similar machine) isparticularly onerous: the activation of this type of machine is oftendependent on resorting to exceptional transport convoys (in view oftheir large size) and many of the known equipment items (cranes and thelike) are unable, due to structural and operating limitations, to conveypipes of considerable length and with a large diameter (unless largespecial machines are used, which entail a considerable additionalincrease in transport and assembly costs).

Finally, it should be noted that a further severe problem that arisesfrom the adoption of machines such as cranes and the like lies in thedifficulty of delivering precisely the pipe to the grip means of theextraction tower. Delivery precision is in fact entirely entrusted tothe skill of the operator who operates the crane, this forcing the useof highly specialized personnel (the costs of which are obviously veryhigh).

It should be specified that in the presence of wind the delivery ofpipes performed with cranes (or other similar devices that provide forhanging the pipe from a lifting cable) cannot be precise. In particular,in many cases the operation of the system has to be interrupted inrelation to the excessive risk inherent in the handling of hanging loadsin the presence of wind (generally a wind threshold value is definedabove which it is not possible to work with cranes).

The aim of the present invention is to solve the problems describedabove, by devising a pipe handling apparatus for supplying pipes tosnubbing units that completely avoids the presence of hanging loads inthe area of the extraction tower, producing a considerable increase inthe safety of said area.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to devise a pipe handlingapparatus for supplying pipes to snubbing units that is relativelysimple to install and assemble.

A further object of the invention is to devise a pipe handling apparatusfor supplying pipes to snubbing units that can be controlled remotely,eliminating the presence of personnel in the affected area.

Another object of the invention is to devise a pipe handling apparatusfor supplying pipes to snubbing units that is relatively simple totransport.

Another object of the invention is to devise a pipe handling apparatusfor supplying pipes to snubbing units that is adapted for supplyingsubstantially any type of pipe.

Another object of the invention is to devise a pipe handling apparatusfor supplying pipes to snubbing units that is particularly stable andtherefore adapted for supplying pipes to the level of the snubbing unitwith high precision, in order to deliver them correctly to the gripmeans of the snubbing unit.

Another object of the invention is to devise a pipe handling apparatusfor supplying pipes to snubbing units that is not sensitive toatmospheric agents, in particular is insensitive to wind and thereforeadapted to operate even in the presence of wind (up to a speed of 72km/h).

A further object of the present invention is to provide a pipe handlingapparatus for supplying pipes to snubbing units that has low costs, isrelatively simple to provide in practice and is safe in application.

This aim, as well as these and other objects that will become betterapparent hereinafter are achieved by a pipe handling apparatus forsupplying pipes to snubbing units of the type that comprises a footing,located on a surface of a pipe yard, and a supporting structure, whichis pivoted to said footing and defines a conveyance line for at leastone pipe, respective means for grip and conveyance of at least one pipebeing arranged at the lateral portions of said structure in order totransfer said pipe from the surface of the pipe yard to accommodationsurface of said conveyance line, characterized in that said supportingstructure comprises:

a guiding frame, which is pivoted to said footing;

a slider, which can slide along said guiding frame and is interposedsubstantially between said guiding frame and said footing, said sliderdefining, on the face directed toward said footing, said conveyance linefor at least one pipe and comprising elements for gripping and retainingsaid pipe;

a first actuator, which is interposed between said footing and saidguiding frame and is preset to rotate said guiding frame with respect toits axis for pivoting to said footing, said guiding frame being movable,by way of the action of said first actuator, from a configuration forpicking up the pipes from the pipe yard surface, in which said slider isjuxtaposed and parallel to said footing and is surmounted by saidguiding frame, to a pipe delivery configuration, in which said guidingframe forms an angle with said footing that substantially corresponds to90°±10°;

a second actuator, which is interposed between said slider and saidguiding frame, being preset for the translation of said slider withrespect to said guiding frame, with consequent elongation of saidsupporting structure up to a length that is close to the sum of thelengths of said guiding frame and of said slider.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will becomebetter apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusiveembodiment of a pipe handling apparatus for supplying pipes to snubbingunits according to the invention, illustrated by way of nonlimitingexample in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a pipe handling apparatus for supplying pipesto snubbing units, according to the invention, in the loweredconfiguration;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a partially raisedconfiguration;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in the raisedconfiguration;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a different step ofuse.

With reference to the figures cited above, the numeral 1 generallydesignates a pipe handling apparatus for supplying pipes to snubbingunits.

The apparatus 1 comprises a footing 2, which is located on the surface Cof the pipe yard A, and a supporting structure 3, which is hinged to thefooting 2.

The surface C of the pipe yard A corresponds to the area where the pipesA intended to be transferred to the snubbing unit B (arranged higher up)are stored; these pipes A are the ones through which the duct inside thewell will be formed.

The supporting structure 3 defines a conveyance line 4 intended for thetransfer of at least one pipe A at a time from the level where theapparatus 1 is located (which corresponds substantially to the level ofthe yard C for collecting the pipes A) to the level where the pipes Acan be handled by the snubbing unit B.

At the lateral portions of the structure 3 there are respective means 5for gripping and conveying at least one pipe A, for the transfer thereoffrom the surface C of the pipe yard A to the accommodation surface ofsaid conveyance line 4.

According to the invention, the supporting structure 3 comprises aguiding frame 6, which is hinged to the footing 2, and a slider 7, whichcan slide along the guiding frame 6 and is interposed substantiallybetween said guiding frame 6 and the footing 2.

The term structure 3, therefore, references the assembly of the guidingframe 6 and of the slider 7.

Said slider 7 defines, on the face 7 b directed toward the footing 2,said conveyance line 4 for at least one pipe A and comprises elements 8for gripping and retaining said pipe A.

In particular, the retention elements 8 ensure the alignment of at leastone pipe A with the conveyance line 4 throughout the handling step.

The presence of said elements 8 therefore prevents the accidental fallof the pipes A, minimizing the risk to which the operators passingproximate to the apparatus 1 are subjected, constituting therefore afundamental safety element.

The supporting structure 3 comprises a first actuator 9 that isinterposed between the footing 2 and the guiding frame 6 and is intendedto rotate said guiding frame 6 with respect to its axis for pivoting tothe footing 2.

Said structure 3, and therefore said guiding frame 6, can move, by wayof the action of the first actuator 9, from a configuration for pickingup the pipes A from the surface C of the pipe yard A, in which theslider 7 is juxtaposed and parallel to the footing 2 and is surmountedby the guiding frame 6, to a configuration for delivery of the pipes A,in which the structure 3 forms an angle with the footing 2 thatcorresponds substantially to 90°±10°.

The rotation of the structure 3 with respect to its axis of pivoting tothe footing 2 (when at least one pipe A is accommodated on theconveyance line 4) is the first movement to which the pipe A issubjected during the operations for transferring it to the snubbing unitB.

The supporting structure 3 also comprises a second actuator 10, which isinterposed between the slider 7 and the guiding frame 6 and is intendedfor the translation of the slider 7 with respect to the guiding frame 6,with consequent elongation of the supporting structure 3 to a lengththat is proximate to the sum of the lengths of the guiding frame 6 andof the slider 7.

The sliding of the slider 7 on the guiding frame 6 (when at least onepipe A is accommodated on the conveyance line 4) is the second movementto which the pipe A is subjected during the operations for its transferto the snubbing unit B.

Following the rotation of the supporting structure 3 with respect to thefooting 2, imposed by the first actuator 9, the supporting structure 3moves from a horizontal configuration to a vertical configuration.

Once the vertical configuration of the supporting structure 3 has beenreached, the sliding of the slider 7 with respect to the guiding frame6, imposed by the second actuator 10, entails the lifting of the pipe Aaccommodated within the conveyance line 4 until it reaches the pickupheight provided by the snubbing unit B.

In order to facilitate pickup of the pipe A by the grip means of saidsnubbing unit, the free end of the slider 7 can be inclined so as toface and be proximate to the snubbing unit B (the distance between thefree end of the slider 7 and the unit B can be on the order of a fewcentimeters).

According to a solution that is particularly useful and practical, thegrip and retention elements 8 of the at least one pipe A can comprise atleast one arm 11 that is pivoted in a portion of the guiding frame 6.

A first end to 12 of the arm 11 can be contoured and intended toaccommodate the at least one pipe A.

The arm 11 can have, for example, a predefined concavity that conformsto the diameter of the pipe A in order to facilitate its grip.

The arm 11 can therefore be able to rotate, about its axis of pivotingto the guiding frame 6, from a lowered arrangement, in which said firstend 12 is arranged below the footing 2 at the conveyance line 4, to araised arrangement, in which the first end 12 is raised in order to keepthe at least one pipe A in a position in which it faces and is proximateto the slider 7 at the conveyance line 4.

The arm 11 initially picks up the at least one pipe A from the footing 2and then, by rising, moves said pipe A to a position that faces and isproximate to the slider 7 at the conveyance line 4, keeping it in saidposition during all the various steps of handling until arrival at theoperating level of the snubbing unit B.

The arm 11, furthermore, can have a second end 13 that is controlled bya respective third actuator 14 that is interposed between the guidingframe 6 and the at least one arm 11.

The actuator 14 is therefore preset to move the second end 13 from apassive configuration, in which the first end 12 is arranged below thefooting 2 at the conveyance line 4, to an active configuration, in whichthe first end 12 is raised in order to keep the at least one pipe A in aposition that faces and is proximate to the slider 7 at the conveyanceline 4.

The arms 11 can be a plurality, arranged along the slider 7, thusconstituting a fundamental safety element that prevents the accidentalfall of the pipes A, eliminating the risk to which the operators whopass near the apparatus 1 are subjected.

For example, the possibility is not ruled out that the arms 11 might betwo in number, one arm 11 arranged in a substantially intermediateposition of the guiding frame 6 (at the base of the pipe A) and theother one at its free end (at the top of the pipe A).

According to the particularly efficient solution shown in theaccompanying figures, the footing 2 can comprise a pre-lifting assembly15 for the at least one pipe A that is aligned with the line 4.

Said pre-lifting assembly 15 can be movable from a position in which itis substantially coplanar with the footing 2, to a position in which itis raised with respect to the footing 2 in order to allow the easyunloading of the at least one pipe A from the footing 2 to the pipe yardC in case of pipe extraction.

Said assembly 15 can be constituted by a platform 15 a, which by rising,for example, by means of respective pistons 15 b, moves the pipe A to aposition that is raised and inclined with respect to the footing 2,facilitating the rolling of the pipe A toward the grip and conveyancemeans 5 that will rest it on the pipe yard C.

If the apparatus 1 is used to supply the pipes A to particularly tallsnubbing units B, the slider 7 can comprise an auxiliary end bracket 16,which is mounted substantially in a cantilever manner with respect to afree end 17 of said slider 7 (which coincides with the end of thestructure 3).

Said bracket 16 can comprise optionally respective retention assembliesfor at least one accommodated pipe A.

Furthermore, in order to allow the apparatus 1 to reach an even greaterheight, the slider 7 can comprise a pusher 18, which is arranged on theface 7 a thereof that is directed toward the footing 2 at the conveyanceline 4, which accommodates the at least one pipe A.

Said pusher 18 can comprise in turn a shoulder 19 for resting the bottomof the at least one pipe A, which can be retained below the slider 7.

The shoulder 19 can slide along the slider 7 for the translation of theat least one pipe A in a configuration that protrudes from the slider 7and from the auxiliary end bracket 16.

From a constructive standpoint, it is specified that the first actuator9 can comprise a piston 20 that has a first end 21 that is pivotedproximate to the end of the footing 2 that is pivoted to the guidingframe 6, and a second end 22 that is pivoted in a substantiallyintermediate position to the guiding frame 6.

The extension of the piston 20 therefore causes a mutual spacing of thetwo ends 21 and 22 of said piston 20, accordingly, of the guiding frame6 from the footing 2, with respective rotation of the guiding frame 6with respect to its pivoting point to the footing 2.

It should be specified that the second actuator 10 can comprise a motorprovided with a winding drum for a first traction element that iscoupled to the slider 7.

Said traction element can be of the type of a cable, a belt, a rope andthe like.

The motor and the winding drum are integral with the guiding frame 6;accordingly, the winding of the first traction element on the drum, byway of the action of the motor, causes the translation of the slider 7on the guiding frame 6, with consequent elongation of the supportingstructure 3 up to a length that is proximate to the sum of the lengthsof the guiding frame 6 and of the slider 7.

In any case, the possibility is not excluded that the second actuator 10might comprise a motor provided with a movement pinion 23 for a secondtraction element 24 that is coupled to the slider 7.

Said second traction element 24 can be the type of a toothed belt, achain and the like.

In this case, the motor and the movement pinion 23 are integral with theguiding frame 6 and therefore the winding of the second traction element24 on the pinion 23 by way of the action of the motor causes thetranslation of the slider 7 on the guiding frame 6, with consequentelongation of the supporting structure 3 up to a length that isproximate to the sum of the lengths of the guiding frame 6 and of theslider 7.

The elongation of the slider 7 with respect to the guiding frame 6 canin any case be obtained in a different manner with respect to what hasbeen described above.

It is in fact possible to use, as a second actuator 10, a fluid-operatedcylinder (which is integral with the guiding frame 6) to the end ofwhich a cable is connected which in turn is integral with the slider 7.

A variation of the length of the fluid-operated cylinder 10 causes avariation of the mutual position of the slider 7 and of the guidingframe 6, with consequent sliding of the slider 7 on the guiding frame 6.

The possibility is not excluded to equip the stem of the fluid-operatedcylinder 10 with a guiding pulley, so as to guide the cable (in whichthe end that is opposite the one coupled to the slider 7 is coupled tosaid guiding frame 6).

In this manner, the arrangement of the pulleys and of the loads is thatof a tackle (or hoist) and it is therefore possible to reduce the forcethat must be applied by the fluid-operated cylinder 10 in order to movethe slider 7 (even when the at least one pipe A is accommodatedthereon).

More particularly, the guiding frame 6 and the slider 7 can have alength of no more than 13.5 meters, in accordance with the maximumdimensions that can be transported with road vehicles, so that they canbe transported on roads.

In this manner, the entire apparatus 1 can be transported by usingtrucks, without having to resort to exceptional transports, allowingrapid delivery thereof in any area reached by a road.

Furthermore, the bracket 16 can have a length of no more than 8 m,preferably comprised between 2 and 4 m.

Said bracket 16 can be coupled detachably to the slider 7 by way ofcoupling elements such as screws, bolts, pivots, interlocking elements,pins and the like.

Said removable coupling allows to mount the bracket 16 on the slider 7exclusively when the entire apparatus 1 has already been provided andtherefore has already been unloaded from the truck, ensuring that themaximum dimensions of the slider 7, which conform to the prescriptionsof applicable statutory provisions on transports, are not modified inany way.

It is believed useful to specify that the grip and conveyance means 5 ofat least one pipe A can comprise respective lateral tracks, which areassociated functionally with the footing 2 and are provided withprotruding movable supporting tabs for at least one pipe A.

As an alternative, the grip and conveyance means 5 for at least one pipeA can comprise respective movable lateral walkways 25, which are hingedto the footing 2 and are provided with a terminal cradle 26 forsupporting at least one pipe A.

In the pickup configuration, the walkways 25 are lowered, with thecradle 26 arranged proximate to the pipes A.

In the configuration for conveyance of the pipes A, the walkways 25 areinstead raised from the surface C for the delivery of the at least onepipe A to the grip and retention elements 8.

The walkways 25 can be lowered and raised by means of a fourth actuator25 a, for example of the type of a hydraulic piston.

In practice, the apparatus 1, once the pipe A has been positionedfooting 2, automatically positions it, by way of the grip and retentionelements 8, at the conveyance line 4 and then the movements of theapparatus 1 (i.e., the rotation of the supporting structure 3 withrespect to the footing 2, the sliding of the slider 7 with respect tothe guiding frame 6 and the stroke of the pusher 18) allow consequentlyto transfer the pipe A (or pipes A) to the height at which the snubbingunit B will be able to pick them up for their use.

The footing 2 can comprise internally all the motors, the control andmanagement units, the pumps and any transceiver units in order to allowthe remote control of the entire apparatus 1.

More specifically, it is believed that it is useful to point out thatthe footing 2 can comprise at least one hydraulic circuit constituted byat least one tank for the working fluid, at least one pump for conveyingthe fluid and a plurality of ducts for the interconnection of the pumpto the respective user devices, of the type of the at least one firstactuator 9, the second actuator 10, the third actuator 14, the pusher 18and the optional fourth actuator 25 a.

Furthermore, the footing 2 can also comprise, at one of its ends, aremovable head 27 for increasing the stability of the apparatus 1.

Said removable head 27 allows to increase the length of the apparatus 1and therefore its stability (in particular when the guiding frame 6 isin the raised configuration) exclusively when it has already beeninstalled and therefore has already been unloaded from the truck,ensuring that its maximum dimensions are not modified in any way andcomply with applicable statutory provisions regarding transport.

Furthermore, if it is necessary to move with the apparatus 1 pipes A ofconsiderable length, for example 13 m long, the presence of theremovable head 27 allows to increase the length of the footing 2 andtherefore the resting surface for the at least one pipe A, preventingthe portion of the at least one pipe A that cantilevers out from thefooting 2 from being such as to compromise the stability of said pipe Aduring the step of delivery of the at least one pipe A to the grip andretention elements 8, or during the step for unloading the at least onepipe A from the footing 2 to the pipe yard C in case of extraction ofthe pipes A.

If the apparatus 1 is fixed permanently on the system, the footing 2 cancomprise anchoring means, arranged at one of its ends, for detachablecoupling to the snubbing unit B, with consequent increase in thestability of the apparatus 1.

For example, the footing 2 can have, at its end that is pivoted to thestructure 3, at least one ring for the fixing of an element forconnection to the platform B such as a chain, a cable, a belt, a bar andthe like.

As shown previously, all the internal systems, both hydraulic andelectric, are installed within the footing 2, so that it is possible tocarry everything with a single tractor-semitrailer rig, reducinghandling costs, whereas with apparatuses of the known type it wasnecessary to use at least two vehicles.

The hydraulic lines are usually rigid, preferably made of steel,allowing a reduction of installation times (they do not need to beconnected/disconnected at each assembly/disassembly of the apparatus 1but are in a mutual arrangement that is adapted for operation and alsoallows easy transport) and the reduction of the risk of contamination ofthe work oil with dirt and sand during connections (rigid pipes are lesssubject to ruptures and/or leaks).

The waste of oil, which would then have to be replaced regularly morefrequently in order to safeguard operation and said valves, is alsoavoided.

All the handling units (actuators, pushers and the like) described sofar can be replaced with other equivalent units of an electrical,hydraulic and/or other type, substantially fully conforming with thoseof the known type.

Advantageously, the present invention solves the problems describedearlier, providing an apparatus 1 for handling pipes A for supplyingpipes A to snubbing units that avoids completely the presence of hangingloads in the area of the snubbing unit B, causing a considerableincrease in the safety of said area.

The pipes A, during their aerial transfer, are in fact always kept onthe conveyance line 4, clamped by the grip and retention elements 5, andrest their lower end on the shoulder 19 of the pusher 18.

By way of this constructive solution it is therefore possible to deliverpipes A even at very great heights (for example 30-35 m and more),ensuring high safety of the personnel located in said area.

Conveniently, the apparatus 1 is simple to assemble, since it can beunloaded from the truck on which it was transported already in theconfiguration for use; it is optionally necessary to assembleadditionally only the bracket 16.

Conveniently, the pipe handling apparatus 1 for supplying pipes tosnubbing units can be controlled remotely, eliminating the presence ofpersonnel in the affected area.

Efficiently, the apparatus 1 can be transported simply since, as shownearlier, the assembly of the footing 2 and the structure 3 is shorterthan the maximum length that can be transported on a truck and thereforecan be simply loaded thereon without the need for any specificpreliminary operation.

The possibility is not excluded to provide a footing 2 that hastelescopic feet that might be actuated by way of hydraulic jacks.

In this manner, once the truck has reached the area of futureinstallation of the apparatus 1, it is possible to activate theextension of the telescopic feet until resting on the ground occurs andthe subsequent lifting of the apparatus 1 from the loading bed of thetruck occurs. At this point the truck can move away. One then proceedswith the subsequent reduction of the length of the telescopic feet untilthe bottom of the footing 2 is proximate to the ground, in theconfiguration for use.

Conveniently, the apparatus 1 is adapted for the handling ofsubstantially any type of pipe, since the conveyance line 4 is shaped toaccommodate pipes A of any diameter (in compliance with the requirementsof use of snubbing units B).

Advantageously, the apparatus for handling pipes A for supplying pipes Ato snubbing units is particularly stable and is therefore adapted tosupply the pipes A to the level of the snubbing unit B with highprecision in order to deliver them correctly to the grip means of saidsnubbing unit.

As already mentioned, the pipes A are retained on the conveyance line 4by way of the retention elements 8 and therefore their arrangement isextremely precise, in compliance with the requirements of the grip meansof the snubbing unit B.

Furthermore, the presence of the removable head 27 allows a furtherincrease in the stability of the apparatus 1.

Validly, the apparatus 1 can be manufactured at substantially low costsand is relatively simple to provide in practice and safe in application.

It is noted that the present invention, therefore, is ideally suited tobe associated with snubbing units, i.e., extraction towers, that arevery tall and have a small footprint. These units normally use cranesfor supplying the pipes A: the apparatus 1 according to the invention istherefore substantially the only existing device that is adapted tofacilitate the operations for supplying the pipes A to this type ofunit, further increasing significantly the safety of the operators whoare in the vicinity of said extraction towers.

Considering that this type of unit has a considerable height (even morethan 25 m), using the apparatus 1 according to the invention in suchsystems is an enormous competitive advantage for those who need tomanage and install them.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modificationsand variations, all of which are within the scope of the appendedclaims; all the details may further be replaced with other technicallyequivalent elements.

In the examples of embodiment shown, individual characteristics, givenin relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged withother different characteristics that exist in other examples ofembodiment.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be anyaccording to requirements and to the state of the art.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed byreference signs, those reference signs have been included for the solepurpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordinglysuch reference signs do not have any limiting effect on theinterpretation of each element identified by way of example by suchreference signs.

1. An apparatus for handling pipes (A) for supplying pipes (A) tosnubbing units (B) of the type that comprises a footing (2), located ona surface (C) of a pipe yard (A), and a supporting structure (3), whichis pivoted to said footing (2) and defines a conveyance line (4) for atleast one pipe (A), respective means (5) for grip and conveyance of atleast one pipe (A) being arranged at the lateral portions of saidstructure (3) in order to transfer said pipe from the surface (C) of thepipe yard (A) to said conveyance line (4), characterized in that saidsupporting structure (3) comprises: a guiding frame (6) which is pivotedto said footing (2); a slider (7), which can slide along said guidingframe (6) and is interposed substantially between said guiding frame (6)and said footing (2), said slider (7) defining, on the face (7 a)directed toward said footing (2), said conveyance line (4) for at leastone pipe (A) and comprising elements (8) for gripping and retaining saidpipe (A); a first actuator (9), which is interposed between said footing(2) and said guiding frame (6) and is preset to rotate said guidingframe (6) with respect to its axis for pivoting to said footing (2),said guiding frame (6) being movable, by way of the action of said firstactuator (9), from a configuration for picking up the pipes (A) from thepipe yard (A) surface (C), in which said slider (7) is juxtaposed andparallel to said footing (2) and is surmounted by said guiding frame(6), to a pipe (A) delivery configuration, in which said guiding frame(6) forms an angle with said footing (2) that substantially correspondsto 90°±10°; a second actuator (10), which is interposed between saidslider (7) and said guiding frame (6), being preset for the translationof said slider (7) with respect to said guiding frame (6), withconsequent elongation of said supporting structure (3) up to a lengththat is close to the sum of the lengths 30 of said guiding frame (6) andof said slider (7).
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterizedin that said grip and coupling elements (8) of said pipe (A) comprise atleast one arm (11) that is pivoted on said guiding frame (6) in aportion thereof, a first end (12) of said arm (11) being contoured andintended to accommodate said at least one pipe (A), said arm (11) beingable to rotate, about its axis for pivoting to said guiding frame (6),from a lowered position, in which said first end (12) is arranged belowsaid footing (2) at the conveyance line (4), to a raised arrangement, inwhich said first end (12) is raised in order to keep said pipe (A) in aposition that faces and is proximate to said slider (7) at saidconveyance line (4).
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1,characterized in that said arm (11) has a second end (13) that iscontrolled by a respective third actuator (14) that is interposedbetween said guiding frame (6) and said at least one arm (11), saidactuator (14) being preset to move said second end (13) from a passiveconfiguration, in which said first end (12) is arranged below saidfooting (2) at the conveyance line (4), to an active configuration, inwhich said first end (12) is raised in order to keep said pipe (A) in aposition that faces and is proximate to said slider (7) at saidconveyance line (4).
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1,characterized in that said footing (2) comprises a preliminary liftingunit (15) for said at least one pipe (A) that is aligned with said line(4), said preliminary lifting unit (15) being movable from a position inwhich it is substantially coplanar with said footing (2) to a positionthat is raised with respect to said footing (2) in order to allow theeasy unloading of the at least one pipe (A) from the footing (2) towardsthe pipe yard (C) in case of extraction of the pipes (A).
 5. Theapparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said slider (7)comprises an auxiliary end bracket (16), which is mounted substantiallyin a cantilever manner with respect to a free end (17) of said slider(7), said bracket (16) comprising optionally respective couplingassemblies for the at least one accommodated pipe (A).
 6. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, characterized in that said slider (7) comprises apusher (18), which is arranged on said face (7 a) thereof that isdirected toward said footing (2) at said conveyance line (4), whichaccommodates the at least one pipe (A), said pusher (18) comprising ashoulder (19) for resting the bottom of the at least one pipe (A), saidpusher (18) being coupled in a downward region to said slider (7) andsaid shoulder (19) being able to slide along said slider (7) for thetranslation of the at least one pipe (A) in the configuration forprotrusion from said slider (7) and from said auxiliary end bracket(16).
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that saidfirst actuator (9) comprises a piston (20) that has a first end (21)that is pivoted proximate to the end of said footing (2) that is pivotedto said guiding frame (6) and a second end (22) that is pivoted in asubstantially intermediate position of said guiding frame (6), theextension of said piston (20) causing a mutual spacing of said two ends(21 and 22) of said piston (20), consequently of said guiding frame (6)from said footing (2) with respective rotation of said guiding frame (6)with respect to its point of pivoting to said footing (2).
 8. Theapparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said secondactuator (10) comprises a motor provided with a winding drum for a firsttraction element such as a cable, a belt, a rope, a chain and the likethat is coupled to said slider (7), said motor and said winding drumbeing integral with said guiding frame (6), the winding of said firsttraction element on said drum by way of the action of said motor causingthe translation of said slider (7) on said guiding frame (6), withconsequent elongation of said supporting structure (3) up to a lengththat is proximate to the sum of the lengths of said guiding frame (6)and said slider (7).
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1,characterized in that said second actuator (10) comprises a motorprovided with a movement pinion (23) for a second traction element (24)such as a toothed belt, a chain and the like that is coupled to saidslider (7), said motor and said movement pinion (23) being integral withsaid guiding frame (6), the winding of said second traction element (24)on said opinion (23) by way of the action of said motor causing thetranslation of said slider (7) on said guiding frame (6), withconsequent elongation of said supporting structure (3) up to a lengththat is proximate to the sum of the lengths of said guiding frame (6)and said slider (7).
 10. The apparatus according to claim 1,characterized in that said guiding frame (6) and said slider (7) are nolonger than 13.5 m, in compliance with the maximum dimensions that canbe transported with road vehicles, so that they can be transported onroads.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in thatsaid bracket (16) is no longer than 8 m, preferably between 2 and 4 mlong, said bracket (16) being detachably associable with said slider (7)by way of coupling elements such as screws, bolts, pins, interlockingcouplings, dowels and the like.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 1,characterized in that said means (5) for gripping and conveying at leastone pipe (A) comprise respective lateral tracks that are associatedfunctionally with said footing (2) and are provided with protrudingmovable tabs for supporting at least one pipe (A).
 13. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, characterized in that said means (5) for grippingand conveying at least one pipe (A) comprise respective movable lateralwalkways (25), which are pivoted to said footing (2) and are providedwith a supporting end cradle (26) for at least one pipe (A), in thepickup configuration said walkways (25) being lowered, with said cradle(26) arranged proximate to said pipes (A), in the configuration forconveyance of the pipes (A) said walkways (25) being raised from saidsurface (C) to deliver said at least one pipe (A) to said grip andcoupling elements (8).
 14. The apparatus according to claim 1,characterized in that it comprises at least one hydraulic circuit thatis constituted by at least one tank of the working fluid, at least onepump for the conveyance of said fluid and a plurality of ducts for theinterconnection of said pump to the respective user devices such as theat least one first actuator (9), said second actuator (10), said thirdactuator (14) and said pusher (18).
 15. The apparatus according to claim1, characterized in that said footing (2) comprises, and one of itsends, a head (27) that can be removed in order to increase the stabilityof said apparatus (1).
 16. The apparatus according to claim 1,characterized in that said footing (2) comprises anchoring means,arranged at one of its ends, for detachable coupling to said extractionplatform (B), with consequent increase in the stability of saidapparatus (1).